title: Analysis of a dielectric EAP as smart component for a neonatal respiratory simulator.
abstract: Nowadays, respiratory syndrome represents the most common neonatal pathology. Nevertheless, being respiratory assistance in newborns a great challenge for neonatologists and nurses, use of simulation-based training is quickly becoming a valid meaning of clinical education for an optimal therapy outcome. Commercially available simulators, are, however, not able to represent complex breathing patterns and to evaluate specific alterations. The purpose of this work has been to develop a smart, lightweight, compliant system with variable rigidity able to replicate the anatomical behavior of the neonatal lung, with the final aim to integrate such system into an innovative mechatronic simulator device. A smart material based-system has been proposed and validated: Dielectric Electro Active Polymers (DEAP), coupled to a purposely shaped silicone camera, has been investigated as active element for a compliance change simulator able to replicate both physiological and pathological lung properties. Two different tests have been performed by using a bi-components camera (silicone shape coupled to PolyPower film) both as an isolated system and connected to an infant ventilator. By means of a pressure sensor held on the silicon structure, pressure values have been collected and compared for active and passive PolyPower working configuration. The obtained results confirm a slight pressure decrease in active configuration, that is in agreement with the film stiffness reduction under activation and demonstrates the real potentiality of DEAP for active volume changing of the proposed system.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tognarelli
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deri
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cecchi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scaramuzzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cuttano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laschi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menciassi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dario
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008422:Materials Testing; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011312:Pressure; D012119:Respiration; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers